Tag Archives: virtual wanderings

Blessings, Dreaming, Family, Gratitude, Holidays, Reflection, Storytelling, Travel

Wanderings Day 16

Today I am all about my Celtic roots.

Edinburgh skyline from Calton Hill
Abbey at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

I remember my first visit to Scotland so vividly. It was a “travels with mom” adventure circa 2003. We drove up from London to Glasgow. Overnight in Glasgow and then on the train up to Mallaig, overnight in Fort William and the next morning more train to Edinburgh. Then a couple of days taking in the sights and sounds of Edinburgh. It was April but it was freezing!! A deep fried Mars bar was an experience, as was trying to understand a Glaswegian accent! Ben Nevis was jaw dropping to behold. But most overwhelming for me was how at home I felt, instantly on arrival. Me and Scotland – love at first sight.

Entrance to Edinburgh Castle

I have been back a couple of times now – solo traveller. Still love it. Could live there if the opportunity presented.

Area around Glencoe, a January day in the Highlands

Dream of going north to John o’ Groats and the Hebrides.

A whiskey hot chocolate on Loch Ness

Today’s virtual wanderings take in a winter wander – Edinburgh and the Highlands including Loch Ness. And then another set of pics of a summer stay – Edinburgh, Stirling and Loch Lomond.

A July day wandering Edinburgh – the view from the Castle, looking up towards Arthur’s Seat and tea and scones at the Elephant House of J K Rowling fame
Stirling Castle
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Blessings, Family, Girl Empowerment, Gratitude, Health and Wellness, Holidays, Mindfulness, Quiet, Reflection, Storytelling, Travel

Wanderings Day 15

London town! I was in the city for a Mindfulness in Education Conference a while back. Remembering a grey January day and a winter wander all over London.

Blessings, Family, Gratitude, Holidays, Reflection, Storytelling, Travel

Wanderings Day 14

It should be said that I am not normally a city girl. But just like Bath from yesterday’s post, Oxford is another English city which I really enjoy wandering the streets of.

Just like wild spaces have a spirit to them, I believe some urban spaces do too. Perhaps something of the history and culture of a place seeps from the pavements up into your feet?

I suppose the extra pull of Oxford for me is how much time Professor Tolkien spent here.

I love the architecture. I have had the privilege of visiting Oxford in the summer and in the winter. There is something magical in the way light changes, reflecting off the buildings, intriguing the senses the way it does in natural places.

And then, of course, there are the happy memories of visiting Oxford with precious family that make the wandering all the more special.

These pics are of a January day enjoying a wander through the quiet, chilly streets of the “City of Dreaming Spires”.

Blessings, Family, Gratitude, Holidays, Reflection, Storytelling, Travel

Wanderings Day 13

Off to the UK today… the city of Bath specifically. Spent an excellent New Year’s there a few years ago.

We wandered the streets in the wintery rain. Still all the lights from Christmas so a definite magical quality to our wanderings. A Sally Lunn bun and tea at Sally Lunn’s Eating House 1680.

Delicious history and interesting architecture.

And, of course, a visit to the Jane Austen Centre.

Fabulous portrayals of Austen’s male characters on screen – two Mr Darcys, a Mr Knightley and, my favourite, Colonel Brandon.
Blessings, Family, Gratitude, Holidays, Mindfulness, Nature, Quiet, Storytelling, Travel

Wanderings Day 12

Still on the same “travels with mom” adventure that brought us to Queenstown, New Zealand’s South Island.

We took a side trip – a bus ride from Queenstown to Fiordland National Park. Then onto a boat for an overnight stay on Milford Sound.

More of Middle Earth to discover. Here we glimpsed the River Anduin, the Dead Marshes and Fangorn Forest.

If I put my ecologist hat on for a moment. Here is a raw, pure Aotearoa/New Zealand environment. Magnificent in scale. Teeming with biodiversity. Truly showcasing the power and awesomeness of Mother Nature. A pure space.

A pure space – this paradox of serenity in harsh, isolated spaces keeps coming up for me as I wander these travel memories. Something that speaks to my soul, I suppose.

Still round the corner there may wait

A new road or a secret gate

And though I oft have passed them by

A day will come at last when I

Shall take the hidden paths that run

West of the Moon, East of the Sun

J R R Tolkien